







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I took Bear out and I'm just about to leave. | |
| This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | |
| But I think that's only for older women. | |
| Do you have their number? | |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | |
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | |
| Watch out for the 3rd step, it's not very stable. | |
| There is a robot in a kid's body, but he doesn't know he's a robot. | |
| I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | |
| Maybe I know your friend. | |
| I hate them buzzing around my ear all night long and waking me up. | |
| Hello guys, you must be Cate, I'm Joseph. | |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | |
| That's a good question! | |
| Kisses to you, too, I'll call you when I get there! | |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | |
| Is it big money? | |
| Anyway, the flight situation is a bit complicated. | |
| Yeah, I think it's a bit early to knock on someone's door! | |